Weird Problem (for me)

I'm new to True Image (build 937). I bought it based on great reviews. Running XP Pro, SP1.

Problem is: while analysing partitions after clicking on 'Create Image File' the program gives an 'Error Reading Sector <long number set here>' on my 3rd drive, a WD 160 gig NTFS (1 partition). (This also happens with Acronis PartitionExpert, btw). Then the HD light keeps slowly blinking until I purposely crash out of the program.
No problems reading my C and D drives (WD 45gig FAT32, 1 partition) and Maxtor 40gig FAT32, 1 partition).

Closer testing gives a 'File system error: 22 (Block bitmap corrupted)'.

Funny thing is, neither Ghost 2003 or Partition Magic 8 (am a long time user of both) have any problem with this 3rd drive. I just don't get it!
Have reformatted several times, and run WD's Data Lifeguard Tools more than once.
The problem persists.

Anyone with suggestions, tips or hints??

 

try chkdsk <drive> /r (not /f option)

 

What will the /r switch do for me?

 

the /f option just checks and fixes the index structure.
the /r option does this but also checks & fixes all the data sectors and the free (unused) sectors.

 

Okay, I tried this. No problems found. Re-installed TI and tried again. Same results.
If I cancel out the read error warnings it will allow me to go ahead and create a backup.......however, there is No Way I'd trust it.

============
YEP! Just got back from testing the created backup.....it's corrupted.
============
Man, sometimes I hate computers!

 

Hello MrFrost,

Thank you for choosing Acronis Disk Backup Software.

Please download and install the latest build (937) of Acronis True Image 8.0 which is available at: http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/support/updates/

Please download the latest version of Acronis drivers, install it with disabled logging and see if the problem still persists.

If the problem still persists then enable logging by running the installation package once again, reproduce the problem and collect the c:\snapapi.log file.

Please also create Acronis Report and Windows System Information as it is described in Acronis Help Post.

Send all the collected files to support@acronis.com along with the link to this thread. We will investigate the problem and try to provide you with the solution.

I should also warn you that the problem is most likely caused by some serious problems with your hard drives and we will possibly be unable to do anything with them.

Thank you.
--
Alexey Popov

 

Yes, I've already done all of this [Acronis #346294].
No, the problem is not with my hard drives. That's a fact. Extensive tests have been run with a collection of drive diagnostic and certication programs, including Drive Mechanic.
Ghost 2003 and PartitionMagic 8.0 have no problem working with these drives.

TI not only reports read errors (with completely different sectors reported) each time it runs it also shows the drive as having half the available space already used - WHEN 145g OFTHE DRIVE'S 149g IS UNUSED AND AVAILABLE, as reported by Windows XP, PM8,Ghost,DM, TuffTest, PC Diagnostics, WD's own Data Lifeguard Tools, SiSoft Sandra Pro, and others.

The old Acronis PartitionExpert has the same problem with this drive as TI.
Certainly makes me wonder what's up with Acronis.

Anyway, I can see I've little hope of getting relief here. Wish you had a money-back guarantee. Oh, well. <shrug>

 

Hello MrFrost,

I have reviewed all the correspondence from your request #346294 and figured out that your issue is the process of investigation at the moment.

We will highly appreciate if you wait for a few days more to let us complete the investigation.

Please read more about Acronis refund policy here.

Thank you.
--
Alexey Popov

 

When you've tested the WD 160GB drive with various utilities was all the testing done on the same computer on which you are using TrueImage?
Was the NTFS partiton created on this same computer?
I'm just wondering if there is a BIOS issue with 48bit LBA support?

 

Hello tachyon42,

I'm afraid that I just do not have such information.

Please wait for the investigation to complete.

Tatyana will contact you as soon as she will get the results.

Thank you.
--
Alexey Popov

 

I just purchased ATI and am having the same problem, 1 out of 2 drives comes up with what looks like "bad sectors", but every test run on it shows it is good. Another note, when ATI attempts to read the "bad" drive, it takes forever compared to my first drive.

 

Hello new user,

Thank you for choosing Acronis Disk Backup Software.

Please make sure that you use the latest build (937) of Acronis True Image 8.0 which is available at: http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/support/updates/

To get access to updates you should create an account at:
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/my/
then log in and use your serial number to register your software.

Please also check each partition of your hard drives by Windows utility:

- For Windows 9x please use Windows menu Start\Run
then enter the command "scandskw" and test all drives;

- For Windows XP please use Windows menu Start\Run, then enter the command
"chkdsk c: /r" "chkdsk d: /r" for every partition of your hard drives.

Please note that you will need to reboot your computer in order to scan the system partition.

If that does not help then please download the latest version of Acronis drivers, install it with disabled logging and see if the problem still persists.

If the problem still persists then please provide me with the more detailed information on the problem.

Have you received any error messages? What exact error messages?

Please describe actions taken before the problem appears step-by-step.

Thank you.
--
Alexey Popov